We Are Achievers

by Kalamu ya Salaam

We are achievers, strivers, climbers, those who arrive

               despite delays, obstacles and intentional roadblocks

               throw up on the diverse paths we trod

               in this period when we have to be twice as good

              just to get half as far we leap over the top

              regardless of how high they raise the bar

We are achievers, strivers, climbers, those who march

              forward into the future propelled

              by the fuel of historic accomplishments

              we stand astride the shoulders

              of all who have gone nobly before

              we follow in the footprints of past pioneers

              those who set standards of excellence

              that we valiantly match and attempt to exceed

We are achievers, strivers, climbers, those who are intelligent

               we grasp and fully understand all the ways of the world

               we can learn any language humans speak

               we can master any technology humans create

               we can control the international flow of ideas and

               information

We are achievers, strivers, climbers, those who reach

               not just for the stars

               but for the sun, moon and the whole sky too

               we know this world can be ours

               as we hold the history of tomorrow

               in our palms and massage the clay of today

               into resplendent statutes and monuments

               marked by the impress of our fingerprints

We are achievers, strivers, climbers, those who visit the summits

               regardless of the roughness of the mountain

               we have prepared ourselves to climb

               despite hurricanes and hard times

               we have disciplined ourselves to keep on keeping on

               no matter who considers us ugly

               we have retained our people's fundamental beauty

We are achievers, strivers, climbers, creators and innovators

               we will find a way forward or make one

               this world will be better and more beautiful

               as a result of our passing through

               we envision a galaxy of excellence

               as we sow seeds of hard work

               so that we can reap gardens of peace and prosperity

               that we are young is obvious

               that we are gifted is important

               that we are Black is a reality

               of which we will always be proud

We are achievers, strivers, climbers, creators and innovators